Dog bed for two cats can haz

August 24, 2013 9:46 AM

My cats need a new bed -- help me find one! (Yes, photo inside.)

Meet Willoughby (top, 1.5 yr), Roaster (bottom, 5 mo), and the problem.

They really like to sleep together, but they also sleep like cats. As in, they like to curl against wall sides, brace against them...all the reasons why cat beds are available with high walled sides.

W&R sometimes snuggle-sleep, but mostly they proximity-sleep -- and we suspect R will grow up to be at least a medium sized cat, possibly bigger. We think a 6" walled bed in the approximate neighborhood of 27x36 would be best. What we're finding, though, is that's the size where dog beds mostly go to pillow-style and low walls.

We've looked through the usual retail suspects to little avail....and I'm sure there's someone on AskMe who has already solved this problem magnificently! Thanks for any help you can provide.

posted by gnomeloaf to Pets & Animals (10 answers total)

What about a kid sofa? At that price point, it's about the same as or less than a large dog bed.
posted by Lyn Never at 10:00 AM on August 24, 2013

If you see an old chair or sofa at the curb with nice big cushions, they make great pet beds. The cushion cover should have a zipper so you can wash and dry it in case of nasty critters, and you can stuff it with an old quilt or get stuffing at a fabric/ craft store. When I had bigger dogs, that's what we used. Current dog fits on a custom-made, mohair-covered pillow, but sleeps where he chooses, of course.
posted by theora55 at 10:34 AM on August 24, 2013 [1 favorite]

Are the walls too low on this?
posted by janey47 at 10:43 AM on August 24, 2013

Lots of stuff on Etsy, and some folks will be happy to tweak the design for you a little bit... this person seems to make deepish pet beds.

Or what about getting a big basket about the right size, and putting blankets/cushions in it?

Cute kittehs!
posted by bunji at 10:52 AM on August 24, 2013

I'm thinking you should build a box, or repurpose an existing box (maybe an old drawer, or trunk), or position two cabinets/boxes/trunks on either sideor a space on the floor, or:

Buy an old hardback suitcase and remove the lid! I'm totally excited about this idea!

- AM
posted by amtho at 11:58 AM on August 24, 2013

If you repurpose an old trunk ... or even not...a foam shop can cut foam in the exact shape you need and cover it in fabric.
posted by chapps at 12:04 PM on August 24, 2013

As for the soft filling: I'm a fan of fluffy, machine-washable comforters. Folded over once or twice, they're softer than foam, and easier to keep clean. They can last a long time, too. For something that size, you might want two. You can fold them to make "sides" against the side of the box/container you use.

(Note: the images through the link in my previous comment are all small; you can of course use a jumbo suitcase instead.)
posted by amtho at 12:25 PM on August 24, 2013

my dog loves loves loves this dog bed. i think it would fit 2 cats. strangely, the price on this thing is constantly changing on amazon. i paid twice what it now costs and i've noticed it fluctuate a lot so if you buy it do it when it is under $30.
posted by wildflower at 4:37 PM on August 24, 2013

Here are the ones I was looking for! You can get either round or square in various sizes and fabrics. Our dog bed from them is a couple of years old and still going strong.
posted by bunji at 10:49 PM on August 25, 2013

Response by poster: Thanks, everyone. In one of those strange coincidences, a day after I posted this question I found this bed, large size, for $25.

End result.

A medium probably would have been fine, but if Roaster still likes to sprawl as an adult, it'll work well.

Thanks again for all of the great answers!
posted by gnomeloaf at 12:58 PM on September 23, 2013